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For Immediate Release

Ecojustice lawyer, Charles Hatt and Transition Initiative Kenora executive director, Teika Newton made the following statement in response to the new National Energy Board panel granting their motion to declare all previous Board decisions void:

TORONTO - Charles Hatt, Ecojustice lawyer said:

“We believe the Board made the right decision, indeed the only decision allowed by law. Canadians have the right to fair and impartial hearings before bodies like the National Energy Board, free from any perceptions of bias. Too often the Board has strayed from these obligations but today’s decision signals, perhaps, a new approach.

Now it falls to the Trudeau government to ensure that any hearing on Energy East takes place under their own legislation, not Stephen Harper’s. They have a golden opportunity to learn from past mistakes and ensure that Energy East – the last major oil pipeline application Canada is ever likely to see – does not go through the same flawed review process as pipelines past.”

“This is a win for all Canadians who take the time to participate in public hearings on decisions that affect our country. We all deserve a fair and impartial process where everyone’s concerns are dealt with equally and transparently, regardless of corporate might or political connections. We will keep making sure the people and environment of northwestern Ontario have a voice on Energy East.”

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As Canada's only national environmental law charity, Ecojustice is building the case for a better earth.

Further

In the vile wake of Charlottesville - those sweaty young white men, pasty faces contorted, screaming, "Blood and Soil!" "Jews Will Not Replace Us!" "Fuck You Faggots!" - what to say? Just this: This is racism, domestic terrorism, pure hate. This is not who we are, and this is not ok. Most vital, those "whose pigmentation matches theirs" must speak "with unflinching clarity (or) we simply amen it... They need white faces speaking directly into their white faces, loudly on behalf of love."

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